News
S.C. Education Superintendent Rex announces bid for governor
September 15, 2009
FLORENCE - State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex announced his candidacy for governor Tuesday morning in Florence.
The Democrat said he's running to be a "turnaround governor" in wake of scandals involving Republican Gov. Mark Sanford.
"My mission will be to create jobs and a growing economy," he said.
Rex said negative images of the state are hurting attempts to recruit business.
He also said the state's next leader would have to try to turn the current negative image around.
"I don't mind being criticized, but I don't like being laughed at, and increasingly people are laughing at this state because of the whole series of events that have occurred over the last year and months," Rex said, " ... and that gets in the way. it gets in the way of economic development, it gets in the way in terms of being a credible state for future investments."
Rex also talked about his history of service in the field of education. He became a high school English teacher and football coach, and eventually moved on to the university level serving as a college dean and a university president.
In 2006, Rex ran for the state Education Superintendent's post and won.
During his tenure, Rex said, the state has seen dramatic improvements in education, including on-time graduation rates and higher SAT scores.
He also said his experience in education gives him some extra insight into dealing with complicated and large systems, as well as reaching out to all sides in an issue.
"I've spent my life managing people, programs and dollars, probably more than all of the other candidates combined, Republican and Democrat," Rex said. "So I look at the challenges in South Carolina, I have been able to get unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats on a number of very controversial reforms."
Rex said he made the decision to run for governor because he's frustrated with the current system and wants to enact change.
"You see a lot of it (frustration) in this state, in terms of systemic reforms that just were not happening in South Carolina," he said.
Rex said he'll focus his campaign for governor on a few main goals, including improving the state's economy and the accountability and transparency of government.
From SCNow.com
By Patricia Burkett
WBTW Anchor/ Reporter
